• Katharina Mader, M.A.

27.9.1999

The notion of innovation is the central concept of current economic and research-political rhetoric and action. It plays a prominent role in various social sciences and some practical fields. “Innovation” is a so-called “soft” term which seems to adapt to its respective semantic context. This contextual semantic impedes or even thwarts interdisciplinary discussions. A terminological clarification of the term is therefore expected to promote more precise and target-aimed discussions. At the onset, various disciplinary and common practical concepts of innovation were presented and explained in context. Two major fields of interest became apparent: On the one hand, decision-makers are interested in applying the term “innovation” as an ex-ante concept for the assessment of options with the aim of promoting and investing in innovation. However, only innovation regarding a specific status quo can be called ex-ante. Therefore, on the other hand, social scientists would like to reserve the term “innovation” for an ex-post concept which permits an assessment of the application of innovation. The results of the expert meeting were used for a further event of the tentative project on innovation and sustainability.  

Speakers: Dr. Gerhard Krauss (Akademie für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart), Werner Oerter (Bereichsleiter Innovation der Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), Dr. Klaus G. Saul (DLR), Professor Dr. Kai-Ingo Voigt (Lehrstuhl für Industriebetriebslehre, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg), Dr. Michael Weingarten (Institut für Philosophie, Universität Marburg).